Awning assembly

Abstract

An awning assembly for use with a vehicle. The awning comprising an elongate base attachable to the vehicle, the base having a first end and an opposing second end, a portion of the second end of the base being magnetic or responsive to magnetic force. Arms are attached at the first and/or second end of the base, being pivotable relative to the base between a stowed position and a deployed position. A portion of each arm being magnetic or responsive to magnetic force. A flexible sheet associated with the arms, which in the deployed positon with the arms extending away from the base so that the flexible sheet provides cover to an area beneath the arms. In the stowed position, the arms are located adjacent the base so that the magnetic portions of the base and the arms connect, thereby securing the arms to the base.

Claims

1. An awning assembly for use with a vehicle, the awning assembly comprising: an elongate base attachable to the vehicle, the base having a first end and an opposing second end; a magnetic portion located proximal to the second end of the base; a plurality of arms pivotably attached at the first end of the base, the plurality of arms pivotable relative to the base between a stowed position and a deployed position, each of the plurality of arms comprising a magnetic arm portion; a shield protruding perpendicular to the second end of the base, the shield being shaped to shield the plurality of arms from wind when the arms are in the stowed position; and a flexible sheet associated with the arms; wherein: at least one of the magnetic portion and the magnetic arm portion comprises at least one magnet, and the other comprises either a magnet of opposing polarity to the at least one magnet, or a magnetically-responsive metal; in the stowed position, the arms are positioned adjacent the base, such that the magnetic arm portion of each of the plurality of arms is magnetically retained within the magnetic portion, thereby at least partially securing the arms in the stowed position; and in the deployed position, the arms extend away from the base so that the flexible sheet provides cover to an area beneath the arms.

2. The awning assembly of claim 1, wherein the arms are disposed substantially against the elongate base and parallel therewith when in the stowed position, and the arms splay outwardly from the first end when in a deployed position.

3. The awning assembly of claim 1, wherein the arms are arranged on a pivot so that each one is disposed incrementally along a vertical pivot axis.

4. The awning assembly of claim 1 further including an arm retainer disposed at the second end of the base, the arm retainer comprising a plurality of arm receivers, each arm receiver having a recess to receive a portion of a respective arm of the plurality of arms.

5. The awning assembly of claim 4, wherein each recess includes a guide or lead-in portion to facilitate receiving the portion of each respective arm within the recess.

6. The awning assembly of claim 5, wherein the guide or lead-in portion is adapted to reduce slop and backlash of each respective arm when stowed therein.

7. The awning assembly of claim 1, wherein at least one arm includes an arm support pivotally connected thereto by a joint; the arm support being disposed outboard of its respective arm, relative to the base, when the arm is in the stowed position; and the arm support pivots to extend vertically downwards from the arm when the arm is in the deployed position.

8. The awning assembly of claim 7, wherein the joint comprises a pivot pin; and the pivot pin is at least partially formed of a magnetically-responsive material, thereby forming the magnetic arm portion.

9. The awning assembly of claim 1, wherein the magnetic arm portion of each arm comprises a magnet.

10. The awning assembly of claim 1, wherein the base comprises an outwardly-facing base surface extending between the first and second end, the plurality of arms lying parallel thereto when in the stowed position; and the magnetic portion of the base comprises an array of magnets mounted within the base, and a surface that receives a respective magnetic arm portion when the arms are in the stowed position; such that the surface of the magnetic portion is flush with the base surface.

11. The awning assembly of claim 1 wherein the shield is curved in a convex manner across an outwardly-facing surface thereof.

12. The awning assembly of claim 1 wherein the shield is integral to the base.

13. The awning assembly of claim 1 further comprising an end cap at the second end of the base; and the shield is formed by the end cap.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) Embodiments of the invention will now be described with reference to the following drawings, which are intended to be exemplary only so as to improve and understanding of the invention and in which:

(2) FIG. 1 is a side elevation view of the awning assembly according to a preferred embodiment, as it would look when mounted on a vehicle, with the awning in a stowed position with a cover element folded back for clarity;

(3) FIG. 2 is a side elevation view of the awning assembly according to a preferred embodiment, shown with a flexible sheet unfolded from around a plurality of arms and still in the stowed position;

(4) FIG. 3 is a front end view of FIG. 2;

(5) FIG. 4 is a rear end view of FIG. 1;

(6) FIG. 5 is a plan view from underneath of the stowed awning shown in FIGS. 2 and 3;

(7) FIG. 6 is a back side elevation view of FIG. 1;

(8) FIG. 7 is an isometric view of the stowed awning of the previous drawings, with a detail view of the front end showing how the arms are arranged when stowed. The awning sheet and cover are not shown for clarity;

(9) FIG. 8 shows detail views of FIG. 1, the detail of a front end magnet mounting bracket and a clip mounted on a sheet support arm for keeping an arm support portion in a stowed position;

(10) FIG. 9 shows the awning in a deployed position with detailed views of the front end magnet mounting bracket and a tie down disposed on an articulated arm joint; and

(11) FIG. 10 shows a prototype awning with sheet removed for clarity.

(12) The drawings are not shown to scale and are for illustrative purposes only.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

(13) FIG. 10 shows a prototype of an awning assembly 12. The prototype, just like the other embodiment described in this specification, is to be mounted on a vehicle (not shown) that has a roof. Mounted on the roof is a roof rack assembly (not shown) that includes a plurality of supports 16 that secure the roof rack assembly to the vehicle. Enclosing the awning assembly 12 in the stowed position is a cover 13 which attempts to protect the awning assembly when not in use.

(14) FIGS. 1 to 10 show the awning assembly 12 separate from the vehicle for ease of understanding of the details of the invention. Turning first to FIG. 10, the awning assembly 12 includes an elongate base 18 that has a general longitudinal axis marked by line X-X. In this embodiment, the elongate base 18 comprises an aluminium alloy and includes a front face 20. The elongate base 18 has a first end 22 and a second end 24. Fixed towards the first end 22 is a pivot part 26. The second end 24 of the elongate base 18 is rounded in shape so as to be aesthetically pleasing.

(15) Pivotally attached to the elongate base 18 by means of the part 26 is a plurality of arms 28. The four arms 28, 28′, 28″ and 28″′ are pivotally attached to the elongate base 18 by the pivot part 26 for angular movement. The movement allows an expanded position for use, and a stowed position.

(16) The pivot part 26 has a plurality of flanges, each providing an aperture, with the apertures being aligned along an axis. Each mounting has an eyelet that is located is adjacent the flanges so that a pivot pin passing through the apertures and the apertures of the mountings, pivotally attaches an end of each of the arms 28, 28′, 28″ and 28″′ to the pivot part 26 and therefore to the elongate base 18.

(17) In use, associated with the arms 28, 28′, 28″ and 28″′ is a flexible sheet. The sheet is not shown so that the arms can be clearly seen. In some embodiments an edge of the sheet can also be attached to the elongate base 18. The flexible cover provides the cover of the awning.

(18) The arms 28, 28′, 28″ and 28″′ are movable from a folded or stowed configuration in which they are located adjacent the elongate base 18 and extend generally parallel thereto (as seen in FIG. 8) to an expanded configuration as shown in FIG. 9. In the expanded configuration, the cover provided by the flexible sheet 131 provides a sheltered area adjacent the vehicle (not shown).

(19) The elongate base 18 has at the second end thereof a metal plate 30 recessed into the base body. Advantageously, the front face 20 of the base is substantially flat and free from obstruction by the flush mounting of the metal plate in the base body. The metal plate 30 is a magnet.

(20) Each arm 28, 28′, 28″ and 28″′ has attached thereto a small magnet 32, 32′, 32″, 32″′. The magnet is attached to the respective arm by screwing an outer magnet part on the outside of the arm to a respective inner magnet part disposed in the inside of the tube of each arm as shown in FIG. 10.

(21) In the stowed position, the magnets 32, 32′, 32″, 32″′ and metal plate 30 are magnetically connected to one another simply by the action of folding the arms. The magnetic connection secures the arms to the base. A further advantage of the arrangement of the present invention can also be seen in the embodiment of FIG. 10 in that if any arm 28, 28′, 28″ and 28″′ is slightly offset after use, it will still connect and be securable to the base, since there is no predetermined plane or location at which the arm 28, 28′, 28″ and 28″′ must lie on elongate base 18.

(22) A production sample of awning assembly 112 in accordance with a preferred embodiment is shown in FIGS. 1 to 9. In FIGS. 1 to 8 the embodiment is shown in the stowed position, and in FIG. 9 the embodiment is shown in a deployed position. The awning assembly 112 comprises many similar parts to that shown and discussed in relation to the prototype, and like numerals (for example, 12, 112) will denote like parts in the following discussion. The awning assembly 112 comprises an elongate base 118 attachable to the vehicle, the base 118 having a first end 122 and an opposing second end 124, a portion of the base spaced from the first end being magnetic or responsive to magnetic force. There is shown a plurality of arms 128 operatively attached to the first end of the base 118, by means of a hinge 126 having a hinge axis vertically disposed at the first end 122. The arms 128 are pivotable relative to the base between a stowed position and a deployed position. A portion of each arm 128 is magnetic or responsive to magnetic force. The magnets in this embodiment are not attached to the arms but are attached to the base 118, specifically, in the front end magnet mounting bracket 130.

(23) There is provided a flexible sheet 131 associated with the arm assemblies, such that in the deployed position, the arms 128 extend away from the base so that the flexible sheet 131 provides cover to an area beneath the arm assemblies.

(24) In the stowed position (FIGS. 1 to 8), the arms 128 are located adjacent the base so that the magnetic portions of the base and/or the arm assemblies connect thereby holding the arm assemblies against the base.

(25) When in the deployed position (FIG. 9) the vehicle awning 112 provides a convenient cover in the form of shade or shelter to an area adjacent to the vehicle. The cover can be to protect the area from the weather e.g. to provide shade from the sun, and or to provide protection from rain. When the awning 112 is in the stowed position, the arms 128 of the assembly are conveniently held against the base of the assembly so that they do not unintentionally move away from the base thereby potentially causing an unnecessary obstruction and or a danger e.g. the awning is stowed so that it may not wholly or partially expand while the vehicle is in motion.

(26) The awning assembly is advantageously mounted to the vehicle in such a way that it can be used by an operator standing on the ground next to the vehicle.

(27) The awning assembly 112 comprises an elongate base 118. The base 118 can be of any length and width to accommodate the various parts of the awning assembly. The base 118 has a longitudinal axis running in the long direction, and it is approximately the length of the vehicle roof.

(28) The base 118 may be made from any suitable material that is strong and can withstand being attached to and carried on a vehicle at high speeds, up to, say, 150 km/h. The mounting of the base may be by using a bracket arrangement, and the brackets in the embodiment shown are accommodated for attachment at any suitable selected position on the base 118 by tracks or channels 180 mounted on or set into in the base 118.

(29) The base 118 has a first end 122 and an opposing second end 124. A plurality of arms 128 of the awning assembly are attached at the first end 122 of the base 118. The arms 128 may comprise long support struts that, in use, provide a support structure or frame for the awning. In the embodiment there are 4 arms 128′, 128″, 128″′ and 128″″ which support the flexible sheet 131 which is attached to the arms. The flexible sheet 131 is associated with the arms by attaching it to the arms using known techniques. The arms are shown sliding into pockets formed in the flexible sheet 131. Once the arms are in the deployed position, the flexible sheet 131 can provide the cover function of the awning assembly.

(30) The arms 128 are all the same length. The arm supports 129′, 129″, 129″′ and 129″″ are telescopic. The awning itself in the deployed position can fan out around the vehicle at least 180, 200, 270 degrees as described herein.

(31) The arms 128 of the assembly are able to support their own weight, the weight of the arm supports 129 and the weight of the flexible sheet cover 131. The arm supports, to provide additional structural security, can articulate so that in a deployed position they are vertically disposed, and in a stowed position they are horizontally disposed. The articulation is via a joint 195 at a distal end of the arms 128. The arms are tubes of aluminium.

(32) The articulation of each arm 128 and arm support 129 is within one plane only (but as can be seen in the drawings and as described herein, not the same plane). The arms 128 pivot about a vertical axis so as to facilitate fanning around the vehicle, and the arm supports 129 pivot about a joint 195 having a horizontal axis so as to allow the arm supports 129 to drop down into a vertical or support position when deployed. In the stowed position, the arms 128 and 129 are folded to be adjacent to the base, and one above the other, so as to be in a 4×2 arrangement.

(33) The joint 195 includes a tie down point being a loop 185 so as to facilitate increased security of the sheet when in the deployed position. A guy rope (not shown) is tied to the loop 185.

(34) Each arm support 129 has a foot 193 having two through apertures for receiving tent pegs. The through apertures are crossed and diagonally extending downwards for increased security. In one embodiment the foot has a tie down point just like the loop 185 at the top of the arm support 129.

(35) The arm supports are extensible, by telescoping.

(36) The arms are arranged in the stowed position such that they are disposed in a regular array so as to form a convenient and compact shape. It can be seen that the arms adopt a 4×2 array.

(37) The arms 128 include a catch 177 for catching the arm supports 129. The catch 177 is mounted on the arm 128 at an intermediate portion so that the arm supports 129 may be able to be retained against the arm even if the arm support is not in an extended position. The catch is shown to be a flexible clip 179 having arms defining a bight for cooperating with the arm cross-section and receiving it therein. In use, to go from the deployed to the stowed position, the arm support 129 is swung up from the ground and in one movement slips into the bight and is retained there, in a horizontal position, stowed against the arm 128.

(38) A second end portion 124 of the base 118, spaced from the first end 122, is magnetic. The second end of the base is magnetic, because of the presence of magnets in the front end magnet mounting bracket 130, which acts as a front shield. The magnetic portion comprises a series of small magnets (not shown) attached to the magnet mounting bracket 130, each one behind a recess 141, 141′, 141″, and 141″′ for receiving and attracting a magnetically-responsive metal portion in the joint 195. Each magnet can be of any shape and can be arranged so as to magnetically attract and hold the joint 195 when the arm is in the stowed position. When the arms are folded for storage, a portion of the joint 195 then contacts with the recess and is magnetically held therein.

(39) The recesses in the front end magnet mounting bracket have slight guides or lead-ins to facilitate receiving the joints 195, but are not too great so as to reduce slop and backlash when the joints are in the stowed position against the base 118. This reduces the likelihood of the joints being released from the recesses.

(40) The second end portion includes an arm retainer. The arm retainer includes a plurality of arm receivers, each arm retainer having a recess to receive a portion of a respective arm. The arm retainer is shown to include an integral shield for protecting the arms from wind and other environmental factors. The shield can be of any suitable shape so as to reduce the aerodynamic force on the arms themselves and the awning assembly generally. The shield may also be integral, and flanged in various places as shown, covering the end of the base 118 and so on, so as to reduce air moving between the base 118 and the arms 128 and arm supports 129.

(41) In operation the magnetic portions of the base and the arms connect when the arms are folded thereby securing the arms to the base. The magnetically-responsive portion of each arm is a bolt forming a hinge pivot axis in the joint 195 at the end of the arms 128. The securing of the arms through magnetic connection should be strong enough to keep the arms in position even with some jolting of the assembly e.g. when driving in the stowed position, but the connection should not be so strong that is it difficult to magnetically disconnect an arm from the base and pivot it away from the base for use. A magnetic “snap” together and “snap” apart connection is sufficient and can be provided by many commercially available magnets. The recesses assist with retention by having walls (with slight lead-ins) which reduce the arm ends sliding off the magnets. Once the arms are stowed, a cover or lid can be placed over and/or around the arms to protect them. The lid can be hingedly connected to the base. The lid can be lockable if desired. The cover in the embodiment shown is such that it may be slid into a cooperating recess on the base and held in position there.

(42) In this specification, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, the term “comprising” has the non-exclusive meaning of the word, in the sense of “Including at least” rather than the exclusive meaning in the sense of “consisting only of”. The same applies with corresponding grammatical changes to other forms of the word such as “comprise”, “comprises” and so on.

(43) It will be apparent that obvious variations or modifications may be made which are in accordance with the spirit of the invention and which are intended to be part of the invention, and any such obvious variations or modifications are therefore within the scope of the invention.